Strathroy native Brian Campbell is hanging up his skates after a 17-year NHL career.

The 38-year-old defenceman announced his retirement Monday and will join the Chicago Blackhawks' business operations department, where he will help with marketing, community relations and youth hockey.

"I'm excited to transition into the next step in both my professional career and life," he said in a statement. "I'm grateful to the countless number of teammates, coaches, team staff and fans that I have crossed paths with throughout my playing career in Chicago, Buffalo, Florida and San Jose.

"The Blackhawks organization has allowed me to take on this challenge and I'm thankful for this new opportunity."

The former Ottawa and Strathroy Blades rearguard was at the forefront of a recent hockey trend that valued smaller, puck-moving blueliners. He was a sixth-round pick of Buffalo and broke into the NHL with the Sabres in 1999 shortly after winning the Memorial Cup with the 67's.

He went on to play in 1,082 regular-season games.

Campbell won the Stanley Cup with the 'Hawks in 2010 and became a rare d-man to win the Lady Byng trophy (six penalty minutes in 82 games) with the Panthers in 2011-12.

Campbell returned to Chicago last season on a one-year deal and posted 24 points and a plus-12 rating in 80 games.

"We are excited that Brian will continue to be a part of the organization," said Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough. "After a brilliant career on the ice, Brian will remain an important part of our franchise."

Per capfriendly.com, he earned more than $60 million in his NHL career.